The Intelligent Man's Guide to Science

What Hacker News says

1. CapitalistCartrOct 2023
   As a kid, "The Intelligent Man's Guide to Science" by Isaac Asimov. As an adult, "Das Kapital" by Karl Marx.
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2. happycamper22Oct 2023
   * "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman (1 mention) * Summary: Postman contrasts the dystopian visions of George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" to argue that western society is becoming a shallow, entertainment-driven culture shaped by television and other media. He discusses the profound effects of television on politics, education, and other aspects of society.

   * "Howard Zinn: A People's History of the US" by Howard Zinn (1 mention) * Summary: This book offers an alternative exploration of American history from the perspective of ordinary people and marginalized groups rather than from political leaders, emphasizing class struggles and systemic injustices.

   * "The Intelligent Man's Guide to Science" by Isaac Asimov (1 mention) * Summary: A comprehensive outline of scientific knowledge, covering fields like physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and earth science. It communicates complex scientific concepts in a way that is accessible to non-specialist readers.

   * "Das Kapital" by Karl Marx (1 mention) * Summary: A comprehensive critique of capitalism highlighting its inherent contradictions and imbalances. Marx diagnoses the capitalist system as one in which the rich get richer at the expense of the working class. The book has been influential in shaping socialist and communist thought.

   * "Handbook of Electronic Circuits" (1 mention, authors not specified) * Summary: An extensive reference guide that provides information on basic electronic circuits and components. It delves into the world of electronics with detailed illustrations and designs, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and professionals in the field.

   * "Simulacra and Simulation" by Jean Baudrillard (1 mention) * Summary: This philosophical work explores the nature and cultural implications of signs and images in contemporary society. Baudrillard posits that symbols and signs have replaced reality and meaning, creating a hyperreal world where simulations of reality have become more real than reality itself.

   * "LSD: My Problem Child" by Albert Hofmann (1 mention) * Summary: This autobiographical work by Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who first synthesized LSD, discusses his discovery and personal experiences with the drug, exploring both the positive and negative effects of LSD, its influence on society, and its potential therapeutic uses.

   * "Requiem for the American Dream: The 10 Principles of Concentration of Wealth & Power" by Noam Chomsky (1 mention) * Summary: Chomsky provides an extensive critique of inequality in America, arguing that the concentration of wealth and power among a small elite is undermining democracy. He lays out 10 principles of concentration of wealth and power that have led to this situation.

   * "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" by Alfred Lansing (1 mention) * Summary: This true account of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton's 1914-1916 expedition turned survival story. When his ship, the Endurance, was crushed by ice and left Shackleton and his crew stranded, they embarked on a harrowing and miraculous voyage to safety.

   * "Hacker's Handbook" by Hugo Cornwall (1 mention) * Summary: A guidebook for computer enthusiasts that provides a look at the world of hacking. It covers a range of topics, including telephone and computer hacking, as well as legal implications.

   * "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan (1 mention) * Summary: This widely-admired book introduces the universe beyond the Earth. Sagan explores our place in the universe, the history of scientific discovery, and the crucial role of critical thinking in grasping our world and the vast cosmos we are part of.

   * "Six Pillars of Self-Esteem" by Nathaniel Branden (1 mention) * Summary: This book provides a comprehensive exploration of self-esteem, its importance, its sources, and how to cultivate it. It offers concrete strategies to enhance self-esteem, which Branden argues is a key component of psychological health and personal fulfillment.

   * "Future Shock" by Alvin Toffler (1 mention) * Summary: Future Shock examines the psychological and sociological impact of accelerating technological and social change. Toffler introduces the concept of "future shock" as a form of psychological disorientation caused by a rapid change in society and advocates for a more measured and conscious approach to future planning.

   * "The Metropolis and Mental Life" by Georg Simmel (1 mention) * Summary: This seminal essay analyzes the effects of the urban environment on the individual's mind and social relationships. Simmel argues that the impersonality and money-centered economy of the metropolis lead to individuals feeling more alienated and adopting a defensive, blase attitude towards life.

   * "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power" by Shoshana Zuboff (1 mention) * Summary: This book provides an extensive critique of the commodification of personal data by corporations in the digital age. Zuboff explores the rise of surveillance capitalism, where businesses harvest and analyze customer data to predict and influence behaviors.

   * "Permanent Record" by Edward Snowden (1 mention) * Summary: In this powerful memoir, whistle-blower Edward Snowden tells his story on why he decided to expose the mass surveillance practices of the U.S. government. Permanent Record opens a broader conversation about free societies, privacy, surveillance, and what makes a country strong.

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3. cde-vFeb 2018
   "Most of his science output was in a bunch of nonfiction books that I'm not even sure are still in print, and he had a rep for churning out books on every subject at lightning speed, rather than for great insight."

   The Intelligent Man's Guide to Science (now called Asimov's New Guide To Science) was and is still very highly regarded.

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4. doucheFeb 2016
   It's somewhat dated now, but I loved Asimov's Intelligent Man's Guide to Science[1] when I picked it up at a used book sale in junior high. I felt it was great for putting the history of science in context in a way that I never really got from my actual schooling.

   Another good one is The Dancing Universe[2], which I got as a textbook for some sort of history/philosophy of science course in undergrad.

   [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligent_Man%27s_Guide_...

   [2] http://amzn.to/1Sv6qV7

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5. doucheApr 2015
   It's somewhat dated now, but I picked up Isaac Asimov's The Intelligent Man's Guide to Science years ago at an Elk's Club booksale, and it was a fantastic overview of physics and biology, of course from the 1960s perspective in which it was published.
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6. falcor84Dec 2025
   I don't know if it says good or bad things about me, but I never noticed that.

   But maybe it's just because I started reading his works long after their initial release. In particular, I was quite surprised to later learn that "Asimov's New Guide to Science" was originally published as "The Intelligent Man's Guide to Science".

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